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This book provides a detailed, global examination of energy transitions, supplying a long-term historical perspective, an up-to-date assessment of recent and near-term advances in energy production technology and implementation, and an explanation of why efforts to limit global warming and to shift away from fossil fuels have been gradual.
Based on the best international and national statistical sources, the second edition of
Energy Transitions: Global and National Perspectives supplies an in-depth evaluation of how economies and nations around the world are striving to move away from traditional energy sources, the unfolding decarbonization process, and problems with intermittent energies and national transition plans. It supplies readers with a clear introduction to the basic properties of energy systems and key concepts of their appraisal, puts energy transition patterns in long-term historical perspective, and looks at the energy transition in eight of the world's leading economies. The last chapters focus on the advances in the decarbonization of the global energy supply and consider how the energy transition will continue in the coming decades.
This fully updated and substantially expanded edition addresses the many new developments affecting energy supply, such as the recent expansion of hydraulic fracturing, oil price fluctuations, the Fukushima nuclear power plant catastrophe, advances in solar and wind generation, adoption of combined cycle gas turbines, and increased availability of electric cars. The coverage highlights the differences in the pace of transitions in various countries, thereby providing a complete and accurate picture of the current state of energy development in different parts of the world. The book serves as an invaluable resource for students as well as for anyone interested in a realistic appraisal of the current state of energy transitions in various nations and regions and the likely future development of the global energy supply.
Sommario
Preface to the New EditionIntroduction: The Book's Raison d'Être
Chapter 1 Energy Systems: Their Basic Properties
Resources and Prime Movers
Conversions and Uses
Infrastructures and Impacts
Chapter 2 Energy Transitions: Universal Patterns
Processes and Paces: Complexities of Energy Transitions
Grand Fuel Sequence: From Biomass to Coal and Hydrocarbons
A New Quality: Generation of Electricity
History of Prime Movers: From Muscles to Machines
Quantifying the Transitions: Uncertainties and Trends
Chapter 3 National Transitions: Commonalities and Particularities
United Kingdom and France: Great European Powers
Netherlands and Sweden: Very Different Experiences
United States and Russia: Energy Superpowers
Japan and China: Asia's Leaders
Changing Patterns: Commonalities and Exceptions
Chapter 4 Decarbonization: Progress So Far
Slow Gains: Relative Global Decarbonization
Inadequate Shifts: Hydrocarbons and Primary Electricity
New Renewables: Solar Energy and Wind Electricity
Modern Biofuels: Electricity and Liquids
National Trajectories: Aspirations and Accomplishments
Chapter 5 Looking Ahead: Possibilities and Constraints
Long-term Forecasts: Past Failures and New Visions
Climate Change Challenge: How Much More CO2 Can We Emit?
Indispensable Fossil Fuels: Steel, Cement, Ammonia, and Plastics
Pace of Transitions: Innovations, Inertia, and Surprises
Realistic Anticipations: More Than a Great Transition
Chapter 6 Recapitulations
AppendicesReferencesIndex
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Vaclav Smil is Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Manitoba.
